Top 10 Longest Partnerships Involving a Player Battling Injury or Cramps

The longest partnerships in cricket history are not always about just runs and records; they are often stories of grit, pain, and unwavering determination. Cricket may be a game of flair, strategy, and endurance, but its true spirit shines when a battered player refuses to give up. Some of the longest partnerships were built by batters fighting through excruciating cramps in the sweltering heat, nursing broken fingers, limping with hamstring tears, or taking blows from hostile fast bowlers. These moments weren’t just about skill; they were about heart, resilience, and a relentless desire to stand tall for the team.

In this article, we highlight the Top 10 longest partnerships where at least one of the batters was struggling physically, yet went on to script history. These tales go beyond stats; they are about courage, camaraderie, and cricketing immortality. Whether it was a match-saving knock or a title-defining moment, these longest partnerships were built not just with bats, but with guts and grit.

10. AB de Villiers & Faf du Plessis – 206 Runs vs Australia, 2012 (Adelaide)

Batting to save the match, both AB and Faf battled exhaustion in the gruelling Aussie summer. Faf, on debut, suffered cramps on Day 5 but batted for 7+ hours. Their partnership was one of the longest partnerships seen in a rearguard effort for a draw.

Players	Runs Scored	Balls Faced	Faf’s Condition	Partnership Runs	Match Result
AB de Villiers & Faf	AB 33 (220 balls), Faf 110* (376 balls)	220, 376	Cramps & fatigue	206	Match drawn

9. Cheteshwar Pujara & Rishabh Pant – 148 Runs vs Australia, 2021 (Brisbane)

Pujara endured body blows throughout the innings, taking over 10 hits to the body. He soldiered on with no signs of flinching. Pant, too, had an injured elbow from earlier in the series. Together, they built one of India’s longest partnerships in a chase on Australian soil, ending Australia’s 32-year streak at the Gabba.

Players	Runs Scored	Balls Faced	Injury Summary	Partnership Runs	Match Result
Pujara & Pant	Pujara 56, Pant 89*	211+, 138	Multiple body blows & elbow pain	148	India won

8. Justin Langer & Adam Gilchrist – 113 Runs vs Pakistan, 1999 (Hobart)

Adam Gilchrist was struck hard by Shoaib Akhtar and suffered swelling around his jaw. Refusing medical aid and continuation, he batted on, and with Langer added one of the most courageous longest partnerships to chase down a stiff fourth-innings target. Gilchrist’s pain-stricken celebration is still iconic.

Players	Runs Scored	Balls Faced	Injury Detail	Partnership Runs	Match Result
Gilchrist & Langer	Gilchrist 120*, Langer 127	205+, 242+	Jaw injury from bouncer	113*	Australia won

7. Sourav Ganguly & Sachin Tendulkar – 249 Runs vs Sri Lanka, 1997 (Colombo)

In sapping heat and humidity, Ganguly suffered from severe cramps after crossing 100. He refused to retire and, along with Tendulkar, built one of the longest partnerships for India in ODIs at the time. The duo kept running singles despite visible physical distress.

Players	Runs Scored	Balls Faced	Ganguly’s Condition	Partnership Runs	Match Result
Ganguly & Tendulkar	Ganguly 109, Tendulkar 137	128, 137	Cramps and dehydration	249	The match was abandoned due to rain

6. Hanuma Vihari & R Ashwin – 62 Runs vs Australia, 2021 (Sydney)

While the partnership was not massive in volume, it was monumental in impact. Battling a torn hamstring, Vihari hobbled through a 3-hour stay. Ashwin, nursing a bruised rib cage, stood tall against a fearsome Aussie attack. Their unbeaten 62-run stand was one of the bravest and longest partnerships for a draw in modern Test cricket.

Players	Runs Scored	Balls Faced	Injury Notes	Partnership Runs	Match Result
Vihari & Ashwin	Vihari 23*, Ashwin 39*	161, 128	Hamstring tear & back pain	62*	Match drawn

5. Brian Lara & Jimmy Adams – 322 Runs vs Australia, 1999 (Jamaica)

Lara had been nursing a hamstring strain coming into this Test. Yet, with the West Indies under pressure, he put up one of his greatest knocks, 213, while constantly receiving physiotherapy between overs. Adams supported brilliantly as they built one of the longest partnerships in Caribbean history.

Players	Runs Scored	Balls Faced	Lara’s Injury	Partnership Runs	Match Result
Lara & Adams	Lara 213, Adams 94	344+, 267+	Hamstring strain	322	West Indies won

4. Graeme Smith & Jacques Kallis – 194 Runs vs England, 2003 (Edgbaston)

During this match, the England bowlers were ruthless. Smith was hit on the hand during his innings, and later scans revealed a fractured finger. Despite the injury, he continued batting, eventually scoring a marathon 277. Alongside Kallis, he built one of the longest partnerships for South Africa in Test cricket, laying the foundation for a massive win.

Players	Runs Scored	Balls Faced	Smith’s Injury	Partnership Runs	Match Result
Smith & Kallis	Smith 277, Kallis 95	373+, 209	Fractured finger	194	South Africa won

3. Michael Clarke & Michael Hussey – 334 Runs vs India, 2012 (Sydney)

Clarke was dealing with a recurring back injury throughout this Test. Despite the discomfort, he played perhaps the best innings of his career, scoring an unbeaten 329. His partnership with Hussey was among the longest partnerships ever seen at the SCG and showcased his ability to push through physical pain for national glory.

Players	Runs Scored	Balls Faced	Clarke’s Condition	Partnership Runs	Match Result
Clarke & Hussey	Clarke 329*, Hussey 150*	468+, 255+	Chronic back pain	334	Australia won by an innings

2. Dean Jones & Allan Border – 151 Runs vs India, 1986 (Chennai – Tied Test)

In the blistering Chennai heat, Dean Jones nearly collapsed multiple times due to severe dehydration and cramps. Vomiting at the crease and begging to retire, Jones was told by Border to “toughen up.” He did just that, scoring 210 and forming one of the longest partnerships under excruciating conditions. This innings became the cornerstone of the historic tied Test, the second in cricket history.

Players	Runs Scored	Balls Faced	Jones’ Condition	Partnership Runs	Match Result
Dean Jones & Border	Jones 210, Border 106*	330+, 268+	Severe cramps & dehydration	151	Match tied

1. VVS Laxman & Rahul Dravid – 376 Runs vs Australia, 2001 (Eden Gardens)

One of the longest partnerships in Test cricket and arguably the most iconic was forged under extreme duress. Laxman, who had been battling back spasms from Day 3, defied medical advice to continue batting on Day 4. Rahul Dravid, too, was not fully fit, dehydrated and fatigued from back-to-back Tests. But what unfolded was one of the greatest fightbacks in Test history.

Players	Runs Scored	Balls Faced	Laxman’s Injury	Partnership Runs	Match Result
VVS Laxman & Dravid	Laxman 281, Dravid 180	452, 353	Back spasms	376	India won by 171 runs

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